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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: AmiBoy on June 25, 2008, 10:37:28 PM

Title: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: AmiBoy on June 25, 2008, 10:37:28 PM
Hi Everyone,

Whilst browsing some Amiga forums recently I have come accross people giving advice on the PCI slot that a Graphics card is supposed to go into on a Mediator.

Some have said Slot 1, some Slot 2 etc...

I would like to Know which Slot it is supposed to go in as I currently have my Voodoo in Slot 3 of my 4 Port Mediator PCI.

Thanks,
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: TiredOLife on June 25, 2008, 11:54:03 PM
The slot nearest to the Mediator connector.
This allows cards that need memory to make use of the graphics card memory.

Doesn't really matter so long as all the cards that need memory are to the left of the graphics card.
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: arkanoid on June 25, 2008, 11:55:31 PM
I doubt it makes much of a noticeable difference which slot you put usb, sound, and other cards. But from what I remember while researching the issue a while back, you should always put your gfx-card in "Slot 1". IIRC, this is literally to do with the bus-track's physical distances from the CPU. Shorter distance between the card and CPU = faster data transfer.

I'm no electronic engineer, so maybe someone else can give you the actual reasoning behind it, but I definitely remember being advised by more knowledgeable people to always put your gfx-card in slot 1 - if possible.
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: arkanoid on June 25, 2008, 11:57:17 PM
TiredOfLife: beat me to it! :)
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: Vulture on June 26, 2008, 12:26:40 AM
Trust me, it makes absolutely no difference on which slot of the Mediator you're gonna install the gfx (or any other, for that matter) card.
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: spihunter on June 26, 2008, 01:22:46 AM
You figure that if this was so important Elbox would have put something in the manual?

I put my voodoo card in several slots when I had a Mediator and it didnt seem to make a differnce.
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: A1260 on June 26, 2008, 01:47:47 AM
The slot nearest to the Mediator connector  ;-)
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: AmiBoy on June 26, 2008, 05:48:11 PM
It seems most people are saying the slot closest to the 1200 motherboard connector.

As some people are saying other slots/any slot I think ill ask Elbox to clarify.

Thanks to all who answered
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: wurzel on June 26, 2008, 06:02:48 PM
Hi AmiBoy,

Sorry, don't seem to be able to PM you or even use the smilies below. Need to check some settings.

[EDIT] I switched Javascript back on - all working now [/EDIT]

Anyway, I have a very similar setup to yours and wondered:

1. Are you having problems at the moment?
2. Is your Soundcard working?

The reason I ask is because all my boards work fine, except the SoundBlaster. The SB is in slot 1, but my Voodoo is in slot 2, because it's too big for slot 1. Maybe, that's why my SB doesn't work! I thought I'd ask before taking the tower to bits, yet again! ;)
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: AmiBoy on June 26, 2008, 06:10:15 PM
I havet come accross any problems.

Have you made sure the mixer program is installed properly and that it is configured in AHI (if you have it) properly?

Dont forge that if you need to get any sound from Paula youll need to hook up the Sound output to the Soundcards Input.

My setup is:

Slot 1: Soundblaster 4.1
Slot 2: 100Mbit Network
Slot 3: Voodoo 3 3000
Slot 4: Empty (used to have a TV card insatlled but it broke :-( )
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: wurzel on June 26, 2008, 10:55:10 PM
hehehe if it ain't broke, don't fix it! LOL seriously, if all is working ok, no need to mess with it - you'll probably end up not putting a board in properly and not getting anything to work - I speak from lousy experience ;)

Yes, I know aot the sound input/output and have mixer installed. I think I've configured AHI properly (how hard can it be?) but I've nver been able to get any sound. I've finally even got a board with the right serial numbers and everything  :crazy:
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: rkauer on June 26, 2008, 11:05:50 PM
 Recommended order:

 Slot1: Voodoo;

 Slot2: NIC (since it is a small card);

 Slot 3 or 4: SB.

 You could also put the NIC in 3rd slot and the SB in the last one, since the Voodoo is a hot board and demands more space due the height of the heatsink.
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: Kin-Hell on June 30, 2008, 10:10:15 PM
Quote

rkauer wrote:
 Recommended order:

 Slot1: Voodoo;

You could also put the NIC in 3rd slot and the SB in the last one, since the Voodoo is a hot board and demands more space due the height of the heatsink.


Exact-a-mundo!  :-D
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: taunusand on June 30, 2008, 10:49:08 PM
It makes no difference witch slot you use. I have mediator in my A4000. The best thing is to think about the air flow, I put a fan on the heatsink of my Voodoo 3 card, it gets pretty hot :-)
Title: Re: Which slot in Mediator for Grfx card
Post by: adonay on July 01, 2008, 02:34:22 AM
It makes No difference what slot the gfx is in i have checked and benched it before with Lan and Gfx tests and NO difference at all .. Those who say otherwise should better explain and leave some proof.

On the other hand i like to have a gap between the voodoo and next card since the voodoo is very hot ... So i leave one slot open betwen the voodoo and tvcard or whatever card...